Metabolite Markers of Phytochemicals

A special issue of Metabolites (ISSN 2218-1989).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 December 2018) | Viewed by 12771

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Phytochemicals are important natural components of human diet and animal feed. Bioactive phytochemicals are commonly used as dietary supplements, food and feed additives, and even as pharmacological agents. Benefits and adverse effects of bioactive phytochemicals are closely associated with the bidirectional interactions between phytochemicals and the metabolic system, such as the disposition of phytochemicals, the regulation of nutrient, antioxidant, and microbial metabolism, and overdose-induced toxicities. Therefore, any metabolites that respond sensitively to phytochemical exposure and treatments are potential metabolite markers of phytochemicals, such as the biotransformation products of phytochemicals and the members of a specific metabolic pathway. This Special Issue aims to examine these metabolite markers of phytochemicals as well as underlying mechanisms, the significances, and the applications of these metabolite markers. The coverage of this Special Issue includes, but is not limited to, the following topics:

  • Exposure markers and metabolic routes of phytochemicals
  • Metabolic effects on phytochemicals on the digestion, absorption, distribution and metabolism of nutrients and antioxidants
  • Influences of phytochemicals on microflora and microbial metabolism
  • Metabolites associated with the toxicity of phytochemicals
  • Metabolic interactions between phytochemicals and pharmacological agents
Dr. Chi Chen
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • metabolite markers
  • metabolomics
  • phytochemical
  • nutrient metabolism
  • microbial metabolism
  • xenobiotic metabolism

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 3301 KiB  
Article
Inhibitory Effects of Green Tea Polyphenols on Microbial Metabolism of Aromatic Amino Acids in Humans Revealed by Metabolomic Analysis
by Yuyin Zhou, Ningning Zhang, Andrea Y. Arikawa and Chi Chen
Metabolites 2019, 9(5), 96; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo9050096 - 11 May 2019
Cited by 29 | Viewed by 6016
Abstract
The bioactivities and potential health benefits of green tea polyphenols (GTP) have been extensively investigated, but the metabolic impact of chronic GTP intake on humans is not well defined. In this study, fecal and urine samples from postmenopausal female subjects taking a GTP [...] Read more.
The bioactivities and potential health benefits of green tea polyphenols (GTP) have been extensively investigated, but the metabolic impact of chronic GTP intake on humans is not well defined. In this study, fecal and urine samples from postmenopausal female subjects taking a GTP supplement or placebo for 12 months were compared by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomic analysis. The GTP-derived and GTP-responsive metabolites were identified and characterized by structural elucidation and quantitative analysis of the metabolites contributing to the separation of control and treatment samples in the multivariate models. Major GTP and their direct sulfate and glucuronide metabolites were absent in feces and urine. In contrast, GTP-derived phenyl-γ-valerlactone and phenylvaleric acid metabolites were identified as the most abundant GTP-derived metabolites in feces and urine, suggesting extensive microbial biotransformation of GTP in humans. Interestingly, GTP decreased the levels of microbial metabolites of aromatic amino acids (AAA), including indoxyl sulfate, phenylacetylglutamine, and hippuric acid, in urine. However, it did not affect the levels of AAA, as well as other microbial metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids and secondary bile acids, in feces. 16S rRNA gene sequencing indicated that the fecal microbiome was not significantly affected by chronic consumption of GTP. Overall, microbial metabolism is responsible for the formation of GTP metabolites while GTP metabolism may inhibit the formation of AAA metabolites from microbial metabolism. Because these GTP-derived and GTP-responsive metabolites have diverse bioactivities, microbial metabolism of GTP and AAA may play important roles in the beneficial health effects of green tea consumption in humans. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolite Markers of Phytochemicals)
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18 pages, 2923 KiB  
Article
Compositional Differences and Similarities between Typical Chinese Baijiu and Western Liquor as Revealed by Mass Spectrometry-Based Metabolomics
by Cheng Fang, Hai Du, Wei Jia and Yan Xu
Metabolites 2019, 9(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo9010002 - 21 Dec 2018
Cited by 75 | Viewed by 5942
Abstract
Distilled liquors are important products, both culturally and economically. Chemically, as a complex mixture, distilled liquor comprises various chemical compounds in addition to ethanol. However, the chemical components of distilled liquors are still insufficiently understood and compositional differences and similarities of distilled liquors [...] Read more.
Distilled liquors are important products, both culturally and economically. Chemically, as a complex mixture, distilled liquor comprises various chemical compounds in addition to ethanol. However, the chemical components of distilled liquors are still insufficiently understood and compositional differences and similarities of distilled liquors from different cultures have never been compared. For the first time, both volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and non-VOCs in distilled liquors were profiled using mass spectrometry-based metabolomic approaches. A total of 879 VOCs and 268 non-VOCs were detected in 24 distilled liquors including six typical Chinese baijiu and 18 typical Western liquors. Principal component analysis and a correlation network revealed important insights into the compositional differences and similarities of the distilled liquors that were assessed. Ethyl esters, a few benzene derivatives, and alcohols were shared by most distilled liquors assessed, suggesting their important contribution to the common flavor and mouthfeel of distilled liquors. Sugars and esters formed by fatty alcohol differ significantly between the assessed Chinese baijiu and Western liquors, and are potential marker compounds that could be used for their discrimination. Factors contributing to the differences in chemical composition are proposed. Our results improve our understanding of the chemical components of distilled liquors, which may contribute to more rigorous quality control of alcoholic beverages. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolite Markers of Phytochemicals)
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